# Modal — Unfold

> An accessible dialog that unfolds open like a folded letter, releasing a band of fold-shadow down its crease. Warm paper surface, serif headline, dateline, and a wax-seal mark, in light and dark.

- Category: Modal
- Frameworks: Vanilla, React + CSS, React + Tailwind
- Design system: Sienna
- Dark mode: yes
- Access: premium (Atheros AI Pass)
- Tags: dialog, animation, overlay
- Page: https://builder.atheros.ai/components/modal-unfold
- Preview: https://d17nmjscumqk5d.cloudfront.net/builder/templates/tpl_builder_modal_unfold/preview-0a340d4b120e.webp

## Features

- Surfaces, ink, shape, and elevation adapt to every supported design system through `--elevation-modal` / `--card-shadow`.
- Disclosure state keeps `aria-controls` and `aria-expanded` synchronized, with 44px minimum targets.
- Editorial hero with a terracotta eyebrow, italic serif headline, subline, and a single wax-warm call-to-action
- One accessible dialog that reveals with the signature Unfold animation
- The letter unfolds from scaleY(0.8) to full height with a top-center origin; the inner copy is counter-scaled so it never squashes
- Letter content — wax seal, dateline, serif title, hairline rule, body, actions — staggers in with small translateY and opacity delays
- A wax-seal mark, dateline caption, and hairline rule carry the component's paper-and-ink identity
- Closes via the × button, Set aside, Reply, overlay click, or the Escape key
- Focus moves into the open dialog box and returns to the trigger on close, with a focus trap on Tab
- Responsive layout that stacks the dialog actions on small screens
- Fully respects `prefers-reduced-motion`

## Accessibility

- **Dialog semantics** — The dialog box carries `role="dialog"`, `aria-modal="true"`, and `aria-labelledby` pointing at its title
- **Hidden state** — The closed dialog is `aria-hidden="true"` and `inert`; JS flips both when opening
- **Focus management** — The dialog box (`tabindex="-1"`) receives focus on open; focus returns to the trigger on close
- **Focus trap** — Tab and Shift+Tab cycle within the dialog while it is open
- **Trigger semantics** — Native `<button>` trigger with `aria-haspopup="dialog"` and an explicit `aria-label`
- **Button labels** — Every button — close, Set aside, Reply — has an explicit `aria-label`
- **Escape hatch** — Escape key, overlay click, and three buttons all dismiss the dialog
- **Focus indicators** — Global `:focus-visible` outline using the `--ring` token
- **Reduced motion** — `prefers-reduced-motion: reduce` disables all transitions

## Keyboard shortcuts

- `Escape` — Close the open dialog
- `Enter` — Activate the focused trigger or button
- `Space` — Activate the focused trigger or button
- `Tab` — Move focus between the dialog buttons

## Common questions

**Which frameworks is Modal — Unfold available in?**

Modal — Unfold ships as Vanilla, React + CSS and React + Tailwind — HTML, CSS, JS and React source you can copy, download or clone into Atheros AI Builder.

**Is Modal — Unfold free?**

Modal — Unfold is a premium component. Anyone can preview it; the source, downloads and AI customisation are included with Atheros AI Pass.

**Does Modal — Unfold support dark mode?**

Yes. Modal — Unfold ships light and dark themes, both drawn from the Sienna design system's tokens. Switch the preview to dark mode to compare them.

## Get the code

Preview Modal — Unfold live, then sign in to copy or download the source, apply another design system, or ask the AI assistant to change it: https://builder.atheros.ai/components/modal-unfold

Every component on https://builder.atheros.ai is also reachable from Claude Code, Cursor and Codex through the Atheros MCP server (paid plans). Component index: https://builder.atheros.ai/llms-components.txt